Woman dies after choking in Australia Day lamington-eating contest

An Australia Day tradition took a tragic turn after a woman choked to death during a lamington eating competition in south-east Queensland.

The 60-year-old female  was taking part in the event at the packed Beach House Hotel at Scarness, near Hervey Bay, at 2pm yesterday when she had a seizure after eating the cake.

Witnesses say the pub's security guard and manager rushed to her aid and started performing CPR while an ambulance was called.

Paramedics took over when they arrived and she was taken to Hervey Bay Hospital but could not be revived and later died.

Many people at the pub filmed the lamington eating competition.

Police are investigating the death and will prepare a report for the coroner.